9th National Ayurveda Day

Why in the News?

On the occasion of the 9th Ayurveda Day,Prime Minister will launch several healthcare projectsvalued at Rs 12,850 crore.

Thefocal themefor Ayurveda day-2024 has been decided as‘Ayurveda Innovations for Global Health’

About Ayurveda:

Details

Origins

• Rooted infour Vedas(5000–1000 BCE).

•ReferencesinRamayanaandMahabharataepics.

• Fully developed by1000 BCEwithCharaka SamhitaandSusruta Samhita.

Foundational Texts

•Brhattrayi (Three Major Treatises):

•Caraka Samhita(internal medicine)

•Susruta Samhita(surgery)

•Astanga SangrahaandAstanga Hrdaya(Vrddha Vagbhata and Vagbhata, 6th-7th century CE).

•TakshashilaandNalandauniversities attracted foreign students.

Global Influence

• Spread throughBuddhismtoTibetan and Chinese medicine.

•Egyptians, Greeks, and Romansadopted concepts via trade and interactions.

• 8th century CE sawNagarjunastudy medicinal use of metals.

Integration of Modern Techniques

• 16th century saw inclusion ofmodern diagnosticsand treatment for new diseases.

Revival in India (19th-20th Cent.)

•1827: First Ayurveda course atGovernment Sanskrit College, Calcutta.

•20th Century: Ayurveda colleges spread under regional patronage.

•1970s: Ayurveda revived, with academic research, publications, and global symposia.

Current Status

• Structuredundergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral education.

• Strong network ofpractitioners and manufacturers.

• Developed infrastructure for community outreach.

Global Influence

24 countriesrecognize Ayurveda legally.

Collaborative platforms include:

•SCO Expert Working Group on Traditional Medicine

•BIMSTEC Taskforce on Traditional Medicine

•BRICS High-Level Forum on Traditional Medicine.

• Ayurveda products exported to100+ countries.

WHO Standards and Milestones

•ICD-11 Integration: WHO included Ayurveda, Siddha, and Unani in ICD-11 TM Module 2.

• WHO set global standards forpractice and training.

•GTMC, Jamnagar (Gujarat): Focuses on Ayurveda research, education, and practice.

Philosophical Foundations

•Historical evidencedates to the first millennium BCE.

• Knowledge passed fromgods to sagesand then to human physicians.

• Central concepts align withSamkhya, Vaisheshika,Buddhism, andJainism.

• Emphasis onbalanceand maintainingnatural urges.

Initiatives and Programs by the Govt:

National Ayush Mission (2014):Aimed at promoting the development and growth of Ayush systems (Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy) in the country, focusing on strengthening educational institutions and enhancing the quality of services

Ayurveda Research Portal (2021):Promotes research in Ayurveda by providing a digital platform for researchers, practitioners, and institutions to access data, funding opportunities, and collaborative initiatives.

Ayush Grid (2020):A digital initiative aimed at enhancing the accessibility of Ayush services and information through online platforms, connecting practitioners, patients, and educational institutions.